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Pop culture is something you’ll be aware of even if you’re completely disconnected from social media. It’s just so obvious and ever-present – literally everywhere you go.
I only started watching sitcoms two years ago (I know, that might sound odd), but I didn’t grow up watching much TV. So in a way, this has felt like reclaiming a part of my childhood.
The Nanny was my first, and that was just the beginning. Since then, I’ve gone through everything from Dharma & Greg to The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air – and I’ve loved every single one.
What’s so powerful about these shows is how they capture the spirit of their time – how people lived, what they cared about, and what issues they were facing.
If you’re even remotely interested in pop culture, I think you’re going to enjoy the books in this list.
These pop culture books explore the moments that redefined history and made a lasting impact.
While I didn’t include it in this list, I have to tell you about my personal favorite pop culture book: K-Drama School by Grace Jung.
It took me a month to finish because every chapter made me want to binge a K-drama – and of course, once I started, I couldn’t stop.
I’d end up watching a few before finally coming back to the book and the cycle would repeat.
Anyway, check out this list if you’re looking for some of the very best, most interesting pop culture books that show just how much these moments have shaped our collective history.
Where the Girls Are by Susan J. Douglas
In this book, Susan Douglas looks at how media – from TV shows to news broadcasts – shaped the lives of American women, especially from the ’60s onward.
She mixes her own life experiences with what she saw on screen, which will make you think about how the media quietly told us what it meant to be a girl.
It’s honest, a little nostalgic, and really powerful if you’ve ever paused to wonder how the media influenced the way you saw yourself growing up.
This book felt like talking to a really wise friend who grew up watching the same shows and listening to the same songs.
The Revolution Was Televised by Alan Sepinwall
If you love binge-worthy TV, this book is a dream.
It looks at twelve shows – like The Sopranos, Mad Men, and Breaking Bad – that completely changed how we see television.
Sepinwall was there through it all, watching and writing as these shows broke every rule and made TV smarter, darker, and way more addictive.
Reading this made me feel so connected to those golden years of TV when shows really started saying something big.
This is a love letter to the series that made staying in on Friday nights totally worth it.
Sometimes I Trip On How Happy We Could Be by Nichole Perkins
This is one of those books that makes you laugh, think, and maybe cry a little – all at once.
Nichole Perkins looks at pop culture through the lens of her own life as a Southern Black woman, and her stories feel so raw and real.
From Prince to Frasier, she talks about desire, mental health, and being misunderstood, and it’s all told with honesty and heart.
I loved how she shows that pop culture isn’t just entertainment.
It’s often deeply personal and often life-changing, and that comes through so deftly in her work.
This book made me want to hug her and then go rewatch everything with fresh eyes.
Queen Meryl by Erin Carlson
Meryl Streep is iconic, and this book is basically a celebration of everything that makes her so special.
Erin Carlson takes us through Meryl’s life, from being an awkward teen to becoming one of the most respected actresses ever.
It’s full of stories about her roles, her awards, her activism, and even her hilarious moments.
I loved how the book shows that Meryl didn’t follow the usual rules – she made her own.
If you admire strong, smart women who speak their truth and slay on screen, this book is a total treat.
The Ultimate South Park and Philosophy by Robert Arp
Okay, so South Park might seem like all jokes and chaos, but this book digs deeper.
It shows that behind all the craziness, there’s real philosophy going on.
Think questions like: What’s right or wrong? Is freedom of speech always good? What even is truth?
I love how the book uses characters like Cartman and Stan to explore big ideas in a super fun way.
If you’ve ever laughed at an episode and then stopped to think about its surprising depth, this book will totally make sense to you.
How to Save a Life by Lynette Rice
If you’ve ever cried, laughed, or yelled at your screen while watching Grey’s Anatomy, you need this book.
It’s a juicy behind-the-scenes documentary in book form.
Lynette Rice gives us all the drama – on set and off – from the show’s beginning to today.
There are fun facts, real interviews, and tea about what happened with the actors and characters we love.
I couldn’t believe how much I didn’t know.
It made me want to rewatch the whole series from the beginning.
Honestly, it’s such a big, comforting hug for every Grey’s fan.
Hi Honey, I’m Homo! by Matt Baume
This book is such a joyful surprise.
It looks at how old-school sitcoms – like Bewitched and Roseanne – secretly helped push LGBTQ+ stories into our living rooms long before it was cool or safe.
Matt Baume connects comedy with courage and shows how these little moments in TV history helped shift big ideas about love, identity, and freedom.
I loved how it makes you see shows from the past in a whole new light.
It’s funny, thoughtful, and honestly kind of wonderful if you’re someone who grew up watching sitcoms.
Wannabe by Aisha Harris
Aisha Harris is that super smart friend who always has the best take on whatever show or trend is blowing up.
In Wannabe, she mixes pop culture with personal stories, looking at what it means to grow up Black and be shaped by things like the Spice Girls, New Girl, and more.
Her essays are sharp and funny but also really thoughtful.
She talks about names, identity, and why liking something doesn’t mean it defines you.
This book made me feel seen in so many ways and reminded me why pop culture can be such a big deal.
Not Since Carrie by Ken Mandelbaum
This one’s for my fellow musical lovers who know that sometimes, the biggest flops are the most fun.
Not Since Carrie is a hilarious deep dive into Broadway shows that didn’t go as planned – almost 200 of them.
Ken Mandelbaum writes with so much love and wit, and it’s hard not to root for these beautifully messy productions.
Reading about all the backstage chaos and quirky failures made me appreciate how risky and wonderful live theater really is.
Even if the show flopped, the stories behind them are unforgettable and so entertaining.
Words Will Break Cement by Masha Gessen
This book tells the powerful story of Pussy Riot, the Russian punk band that stood up to power with art and music.
Masha Gessen follows their journey from regular young women to fierce activists who risked everything to speak the truth.
It’s moving, bold, and inspiring.
I enjoyed seeing how their protest was creative and brave in a way that made people all over the world pay attention, while still political at its core.
This book showed me that pop culture can be fun but also a force for change and courage.
Pop culture is really the perfect playground to observe human interactions. If that’s something you enjoy exploring, then you’ll love the books in this list.
Let me know which ones you’re planning to read in the comments below and don’t forget to check out the related posts section for even more book recommendations!
